How to Transfer a Vehicle Logbook on NTSA eCitizen in 2026 (Step-by-Step)
How to Transfer a Vehicle Logbook on NTSA eCitizen
When you buy or sell a car in Kenya, the transfer of ownership is done on the NTSA service on eCitizen. Since mid-2026, NTSA has moved to digital logbooks that owners can view and download from their eCitizen accounts, making transfers faster and fraud harder.
Before You Pay for a Car: Check the Record
Ask the seller for the registration number and do an official vehicle search on the NTSA eCitizen service. Confirm:
- The registered owner matches the seller's ID
- Make, model, colour, engine and chassis numbers match the car
- Whether there is a caveat or encumbrance (for example, a bank still has an interest from a car loan)
If a bank is listed, the loan must be cleared and the bank's interest removed before transfer.
Step-by-Step: The Seller
- Log in to eCitizen and open the NTSA service.
- Select the vehicle and choose Transfer of Ownership.
- Enter the buyer's ID number and KRA PIN, and the sale details.
- Submit and pay the applicable transfer fee if you agreed the seller pays (often the buyer pays).
Step-by-Step: The Buyer
- Log in to your own eCitizen NTSA account.
- Open the pending transfer request and review the details.
- Accept the transfer.
- Pay the transfer fee through M-Pesa or other eCitizen payment options.
- Track the application; once approved, the vehicle and digital logbook appear in your account.
Fees
Transfer fees depend on engine capacity, rising from roughly KES 2,210 for small engines to about KES 6,465 for engines above 3,000cc, plus charges for items such as stickers where applicable. The exact amount is shown on eCitizen before payment.
How Long It Takes
Once both parties complete their steps and pay, transfers are typically approved within a few working days.
Avoiding Fraud
- Never pay the full price until the official search confirms ownership and no encumbrance.
- Meet at a safe place and verify the car physically against the record.
- Use a written sale agreement with both parties' IDs.
- Pay through traceable channels such as bank transfer.
- Change insurance into your name immediately.
Importing instead of buying locally? See the cost of importing a car from Japan.
Documents Both Parties Should Have
| Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|
| eCitizen account with NTSA access | eCitizen account with NTSA access |
| National ID and KRA PIN | National ID and KRA PIN |
| Proof the vehicle has no outstanding loan, or the bank's release | Funds ready to pay the agreed price and transfer fee |
| Signed sale agreement | Signed sale agreement |
| Spare keys and service records | Insurance arranged to start on transfer |
Buying From a Car Yard or Dealer
Many second-hand cars in Kenya are bought from yards and dealers. The process is the same, but confirm who the registered owner is - sometimes the car is still registered to a previous owner or an importer. The transfer must come from the registered owner's eCitizen account. For a freshly imported car, the first registration is done by the importer or clearing agent, and the logbook then transfers to you.
Transfers Involving a Company
If the seller or buyer is a company, the transfer is handled through the company's eCitizen business account by an authorised person, and NTSA may require supporting documents such as the company's KRA PIN and a board resolution or authorisation.
What to Do After the Transfer
- Insurance: update the policy to your name immediately.
- Inspection: if the vehicle is used commercially, check inspection requirements.
- Service: have a trusted garage inspect the car - see our German car garages ranking if you drive a European make.
- Records: keep the sale agreement, payment proof and transfer confirmation together.
Common Mistakes
- Paying cash in full before the search and transfer request are complete.
- Ignoring a bank caveat, which blocks transfer until the loan is cleared.
- Leaving the transfer for later. Until it is done, the seller remains legally responsible for the vehicle, and the buyer is exposed.
- Using a third party's eCitizen account. Each party should use their own account.
- Not checking the chassis and engine numbers against the record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays the transfer fee in Kenya? It is negotiable. In many private sales the buyer pays, but agree this in writing before payment.
Can I transfer a car whose owner has died? The vehicle forms part of the estate. Transfer requires succession documents, such as a grant of letters of administration, before NTSA can process it.
How do I get the digital logbook? Once the transfer is approved, the vehicle and its digital logbook appear in the new owner's eCitizen account, where they can be viewed and downloaded.
What if the seller does not initiate the transfer? Without the registered owner's action, the transfer cannot proceed. This is why you should never pay in full until the transfer is initiated.
Selling Your Car Safely
Sellers should also protect themselves. Initiate the transfer only after receiving full payment in cleared funds, keep a copy of the buyer's ID and the signed sale agreement, and note the exact date and time of handover. Until the transfer is complete, you remain the registered owner and could be linked to traffic offences committed with the vehicle.